Switch and signal system



SWITCH AND SIGNAL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 18, 1930 36 24%. of- W dtmq Patented Oct. 18, 1932 SAMUEL S. STOLP, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY SWITCH. AND SIGNAL SYSTEM Application filed August 18, 1930. Serial No. 476,090.

My invention. relates to an electric system for automatically operating trackless trolley frogs.

One of the objects of my invention is to 5 supply operating current to the system for a predetermined time regardless of the positi on of the vehicle after having once set the system in operation and to maintain a lesser flow of current in the system for magnetically biasing the position of the frog tongues.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a means for automaticallyselecting the position oi the frog tongues from the vehicle through the medium of the motor controller when thrown to either the power on or power oil'. I

Y A still further object of my invention is to limit the magnitude of the arcs broken by the current collector or trolley wheel.

A still further object of my invention is to prevent the trolley frog tongues from being operated to the wrong position after having been initially operated to the correct position.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a system of signal indications to in dicate to the operator of the vehicle the operating circuit being energized. That is, whether the frog mechanisms are being operated to the curved or straight ahead positions.

()ther objects will disclose themselves as the disclosure of my invention is made herein.

My invention resides in the new and novel construction, the combination and relation of the various parts and circuits herein described and shown in the drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic drawing of my invention showing the relation of the various parts and circuits when the system is in a normal condition, that is, before and a ter its operation for positioning the frog tongues. The frog tongues, however, may be shown in either of their operable positions.

2 is a diagrammatic scheme of the cir cuits usually employed in a trackless trolley vehicle and are taken into account in the operation of my invention more fully described hereil after.

It is the object of my invention to provide a system by means of which trolley frog tongues are automatically and electrically operated to their straight ahead or curved positions, governed by the vehicle operator applying power on or power oil to his motors through the medium of his motor controller. This system utilizes the principle that when the controller is set in the power off position, no current will flow through the motors, and when the controller is set in the power on position a heavy current will flow through the vehicle motors. The flow and non-flow of the motor operating current is made use of in the operation of the system for selecting the position of the trolley frog tongues. There are also other currents used in the trackless' trolley vehicle which must be taken into account in the designing of the system. These are referred to as the auxiliary car circuits and are known as the heat, light, air compressor and etcetera circuits. 1

In Fig. 2, the characters W and W1 represent the trolley wheels or current collectors employed on a trackless trolley vehicle. The

characters T and T1 represent the trolley poles by which the respective current collectors are mounted upon the vehicle. H indi cates the heaters, L the lights, J the air compressor,and these when in operation, together with possibly others, may constitute a considerable amount of current. The motors for moving the tracklesstrolley vehicle are indicated by the letter M and the controller for regulating the current to the motors is indicated by the characters 01. Normally the current collector W1 is in contact engagement with the overhead trolley conductor 1A and the current collector W is in contact engagement with the overhead trolley conductor 1.

'In the preferred embodiment of my in Vention, shown in Fig. 1, the letter P represents atrolley pan or contactor which is positioned adjacent the trolley wire 1 and is so arranged that when the current collector vV comes into contact engagement with its contact members 2 and 3 it will pass out of contact engagement with the trolley conductor 1. The contact members 2 and 8 of the trolley contactor P usually consist of two laterally disposed parallel contact members which are normally insulated from each other and the trolley conductor 1 and are so positioned that the current collector WV will bridge the two members when passing thereover.

Since the propulsion current of the trackless trolley vehicle is obtained from two overhead current collectors two trackless trolley switching frogs are required.

lVith reference to Fig. 1 the current conductor 1A carries the trolley tongue 0 which is controlled by the operating coils E and G. The operating coil E operates and retains the trolley frog tongue 0 in such a position as to permit the current collector 1 to select the straight ahead position, while the operating coil G operates and retains the frog tongue O in such a position as to cause the current collector W1 to select the curve position. The current conductor 1 is provided with a similar trolley frog operating device and is equipped with a tongue N and operating coils D and F. The operating coil D of the frog device operates and retains the tongue N in such a position as to permit the current collector N to continue a straight ahead travel while the operating coil F operates and retains the tongue N in such a position as to cause the current collector W to select the curve position. Each of the straight ahead operating coils D and E are connected in series so that a current flowing in the circuit will cause each frog tongue to move simultaneously to that position. The curve operating coils F and G are likewise connected in series so as to cause the tongues to move simultaneously to the curve position when the circuit is energized. Each of the trackless trolley frog tongues N and O are biased to their respec tive operating positions magnetically, that is, a heavy current flows through the operating coils to cause the tongues to move to their respective positions, and a lesser flow of current is maintained in the circuit to retain the tongues in their positions.

I also employ an electrically operated relay Z provided with two operatin coils A and C controlling a single armature CA. Each of the coils A and C are so disposed that an energization of the operating coil A will cause the armature CA to move in one direction, and a heavy energization or" the operating coil C will cause the armature CA to operate to the reverse position. As the relay Z is of the last position type, that is, its armature must remain in the position last operated, magnetic biasing is employed to retain this positioning in preference to a toggle spring. The operating coil A of relay Z is connected in series with the straight ahead frog tongue operating coils D and E and the operating coil C is arranged in series with the curve operating coils F and G. It can be readily seen that when a heavy current suificient to operate the switch tongues, flows in either circuit, the armature CA of relay Z will also move to the position corresponding to the movement of the frog tongues.

The signal indications L1 and L2 that I employ are under the control of the armature CA of relay Z. These indications are so arranged behind suitable coloring screens or signs to indicate the-position of the trackless trolley frogs N and 0. It is very evident to those skilled in the art that a movable sign or arm may be readily substituted for the lamp indications L1 and L2.

1 also employ an electrically operated relay Y which I will term a selective switch, as its function is to place one or other group of the previously mentioned operating coils in circuit when the current collector W engages the trolley contactor P. The relay Y is pro vided with an operating coil KL mounted on an iron core and has one coil terminal connected to the trolley wire 1, through wire 18, and its other coil terminal connected to contact member 2 of trolley contactor P through wire 17. The coil KL preferably consists of a few turns of heavy wire it must withstand a very heavy current flowing thereto. It is necessary to have its ampere turns so proportioned that it will operate to raise its armature KLA when the controller C1 isin the power on position and the current collector V in contact engagement with the trolley contactor P. and will not affect the armature KLA when the controller C1 is in the power oil? position. Furthermore, the ampere turns must be so regulated that current flowing through the auxiliary circuits, which will also flow through the operating coil KL. will not affect the armature KLA when the currentcollector W engages the trolley contactor P with power It will be noted that the contact member 2 is electrically connected to the trolley conductor 1 at all times and when the current collector V engages the trolley contactor P with power on, current will flow from the trolley wire to the contact member 2, through the current collector TV, trolley pole T, motor M. controllerCl, trolley pole Tl, current collector VVl to the ground return current conductor 1A. and instant to this operation the contact member 3 will be electrically connected to the trolley conductor 1 through the medium of the current collector The selective switch Y is also provided with two con tacts 7 and 23. and a switch arm KLA which is normally in contact engagement with back contact 7, sothat the selector switch is normally set for connecting the system to the oranch circuit including the coil A of relay Z and coils F and of the trolley frog switches, and will so remain set if the cur rent collector engages the pan with power oil. It will also be noted that the armature KLA engages the front contact 23 through the application of power as the collector W engages the trolley contactor P, thereby placing the other operating branch in circuit with the system.

I also employ a controlling relay X which is provided with an operating coil T and a copper slug T1 mounted on a magnetic core. One terminal of the coil T is connected to the contact member 3 of trolley contact'or P through wire 4, and the other coil terminal is connected to the resistance unit B, through wire 28, and to the contact arm of relay T through wire 5. It is not necessary that the operating current for the operating coil T be taken to the ground current conductor 1A through the switch operating coils, as it may be taken directly to the current conductor 1A without interfering with the function of the various parts as required. The resistance of the operating coil T and resistor R is sufficiently high so that when the current collector W disengages the trolley contactor P, only a slight arc will take place. The relay X is also provided with an armature TA and a contact arm 30. The contact arm 30 is normally in contact engagement with the contact31 and is so ar ranged as to be mechanically engaged by the armature TA. The relay X is of the retarded pick-up type, that is, its armature TA is provided with a suitable means to retard its pick-up before it mechanically engages the contact arm 30. This retarded pick-up feature may be brought about by many well known constructed principles such as a brass or copper sleeve about the core of the relay, or by an inertia device or dash-pot arrangement on the armature. This is symbolically represented by the characters T1.

As the current collectors WV and W1 approach the turnout the current collector vV will first come into contact engagement-with the trolley contactor P. If the current collector initially engages the operating contactor P with power off, the operating coil KL of the selective switch Y will notice sufficiently energized to affect its armature KLA, and the normal selection of the selective switch will be retained. As the current collector comes into Contact engagement with the contact strip 3 of the trolley contactor P, a circuit will be completed through the normally deencrgized operating coil T of relay X. This circuit will be completed from the current conductor 1, through wire 18, operating coil KL of relay Y, wire 17, contact member 2 of trolley contactor P, through the current collector WV, contact member 3 of trolley contactor P, wire 4, operating coil T of relay X, wire 5, contact arm 30, wire (3, armature KLA of relay Y, back contact 7 of relay Y, wire 8, coil A of relayY, wire 9, tongue operating coil D, wire 10, tongue operating coil E, wire 11, wire 12 to the ground return current conductor 1A.

, ment with the contact lllfill'lbGl The selection of relay Y placed the operating coils A, D and It in series with the operating coil T of relay X and both tongues N and 0 were operated to permit the current collectors W and W1 to continue the straight ahead course. The energization of the operating coil A of relay Z caused the armature CA to operate in that direction, and thereby complete the circuit for display ing the straight ahead signal indication L1. This circuit was completed from trolley conductor 1, through wire 18, wire 19, armature CA of relay Z, Contact 82 of relay Z, wire 16, indicating lamp L1, wire l i, wire 13, wire 12, to the ground return conductor 1A. Should the current collector V] of the moving vehicle remain in contact engage- 3 of the trolley contactor P, greater than a certain predetermined time, the operating coil T of relay X will cause the armature TA to raise and mechanically engage the contact arm 30, and

disengage the Contact engagement of the contact arm 30 and contact 31. As long as the current collector VJ engagesthe trolley con- .tactor P the armature TA of relay X will remain in its raised position with a lesser current flowing in the circuit since the disengagement of the contact arm 30 and the contact 31 interposed the resistor R in the operative circuit. As soon as the current collector W disengages the trolley contactor P a lesser flow of current will flow through the operating coils A, D and E to retain their parts in the preselected positions. This circuit will be completed from the trolley conductor 1, through wire 18, wire 19, wire 20, resistance unit R2, wire 21, wire 8, operating coil A, wire 9, operating coil D,

ground return conductor 1A. A small current will also be established through the other operating branch including the coils C, F, and G, but since the operating parts had not been previously moved to this position this energizing current will not affect their operating parts.-

Should the current collector engage the trolley contactor P with power on the operating coil KL ofrela 1 will be sufliciently energized to raise its armature KLA out of contact engagement with its back contact 7 and into contact en 'a 'e- 7 t) D wire 10,. operating coil E, wire 11, wire 12 to the I previously operated positions in the same manner described for the straight ahead course.

There are, of course, modifications and arrangements of parts which may be made from that shown in the above disclosure and which will still fall within the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a trolley frog operating device, the combination of a plurality of operating coils, a movable tongue element for t 1e said frog, a branched circuit including a circuit changer for selectively connecting the coils to a source of power for selective energization of the different coils of the frog operating device in accordance with predetermined conditions, electrically operated means cooperating therewith for holding the tongue element against movement after operation thereof, and signal indications for indicating the selected energization of the said operating coils, circuits for connecting the said signals to a source of power, switch means for alternately opening and closing the said circuits and means for shifting the said switch means in accordance with the temporary selective energization of the said operating coils.

2. In a trolley frog operating device, the

" combination of a. plurality of operating coils,

a main circuit including acircuit changer for connecting the coils to a source of power for selective temporary energization 01 the different coils of the frog operating device in accordance with predetermined conditions, and a second circuit of relatively high resis ance connecting both coil circuits of the frog device with the same source of power at all other times, and signal indications for indicating the selected energization of the said operating coils, circuits for connecting the said signals to a source of power, switch means for alternately opening and closing the said circuits and means for shifting the said switch means in accordance with the temporary selective energization of the said opera-ting coils.

3. In a trolley frog operating device, the combination of a plurality of coils, a mov able frog tongue therefor, a main circuit including a circuit changer for connecting the coils to a source of power for selective temporary energization of the different coils of the frog device upon the approach of a vehicle with power on or power off, and a second circuit of relatively high resistance constantly connecting both coil circuits of the frog device with the same source of power, and signal indications for indicating the selected energization of the sail operating coils, circuits for connecting the said signals to a source of power, switch means for alt-ernately opening and closing the said ci 'cuits and means for shifting the said switch means in accordance with the temporary selective energization of the said operating coils.

4:. In a trolley frog operating device, the combination of a plurality of coils, a movable frog tongue therefor, a main circuit including a circuit changer for connecting the coils to a source of power for selective temporary energization of the different coils of the frog device upon the approach of a car with power on or power off, and a second circuit of relatively high resistance constantly connecting both coil circuits of the frog device with the same source of power at all other times, and signal indications for indicating the selected energization of the said operating coils, circuits for connecting the said signals to asource of power, switch means for alternately opening and closing the said circuits and means for shifting the said switch means in accordance with the temporary selective cnergization of the said operating coils.

5. In a trolley frog tongue operating device, the combination of a movable frog tongue, means for moving the frog tongue element including a plurality of coils, a power line, a contactor, a current collector for cooperating with the contactor to supply a. temporary operating current to the coils and means for supplying a holding current to the said coils, and signal indications for indicating the selected energization of the said operating coils, circuits for connecting the said signals to a source of power, switch means for alternately opening and closing the said circuits and means for shifting the said switch means in accordance with the temporary selective energization of the said operating coils.

6. In a trolley frog operating device, the combination of a movable frog tongue element, means for moving the frog tongue element including a plurality of coils, a double power line, each of said power lines equipped with a frog tongue operating device, a trolley contactor mounted in one of the said power lines, current collectors normally engaging the said power lines, one of said current collectors arranged to cooperate with the trolley contactor to supply a temporary operating current to the said operating coils of the frog tongue device, and means for supplying a holding current to the said operating coils.

7. In a vehicle operating system comprising a moving vehicle, a double power line, a plurality of current collectors for collecting motive power from the said power lines, frog tongue devices equipped with a movable element included in the said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors, of means controlled by the vehicle approaching the frog tongue devices with power on or power oil for automatically and electrically actuating the said movable element of the said frog tongue devices, and signal indications for indicating the selected energization of the said operating coils, circuits for connecting the said signals to a source of power, switch means for alternately opening and closing the said circuits and means for shifting the said switch means in accordance with the temporary selective energization of the said operating coils.

8. In vehicle operating system comprisin a movin vehicle, a double power line, a plurality or current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said power lines, trolley frog tongue devices equipped with a movable element included in t is said power lines for directing the course of travel or" the said current collectors, of means controlled by the vehicle approaching the frog tongue devices to automatically and electrically actuate the movable element of the said frog tongue devices, and signal indications for indicating the selected energiza- 'tion of the said operating coils, circuits for connecting the said signals to a source of power, switch means for alternately opening and closing the said circuits and means for shifting the said switch means in accordance with the temporary selective energization of the said operating coils.

9. In a vehicle operating system compris ing a moving vehicle, a double power line, a

rolley contacting device mounted on one of the said power lines, a plurality of current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said power lines, frog tongue devices eg ipped with a movable element included in th said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors, a plurality of operating coils for magnetically actuating the movable elements of the said frog tongue d vices, of means controlled through the cooperation of one of the said current collectors and the said trolley contacting device for selectively supplying a temporary energizing current to the operat ing coils of the said frog ton 'ue devices, and signal indications for indicating the selected energization or" the said operating coils, circuits for connecting the said signals to a source of power, switch means for alternately opening and closing the said circuits and means for shifting the said switch means in accordance with the temporary selective energization of the said operating coils.

10. In a vehicle operating system comprising a moving vehicle, a double power line, a trolley contacting device mounted on one of the said power lines, a plurality of current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said power lines, frog tongue devices equipped with a movable element included in the said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors, a plurality of operating coils for magnetically actuating the movable elements of the said frog tongue devices, of means controlled through the cooperation of one of the said current collectors and the said trolley contacting device for selectively supplying a temporary energizing current to the operating coils of the said frog tongue devices and a circuit of relatively high resistance connecting the operating coils with the same source of power at all other times.

11. In a trolley frog tongue operating system, the combination of a movable-tongue element, electro-magnetic means for moving the said tongue element, a double power line, a plurality of current collectors, a trolley contactor for cooperation with one of the said current collectors to cause the operation of the said means, and electro-magnetic means for holding the tongue element against movement after operation thereof.

'12. In a trolley frog tongue operating device, the combination of a plurality of operating coils, means selectively supplying operating current to the diflerent coils of the frog tongue operating device and means constantly supplying current at relatively low amperage to said operatin coils, and signal indications for indicating the selected energization of the said operating coils, circuits for connecting the said signals to a source of power, switch means for alternately opening and closing the said circuits and means for shifting the said switch means in accordance with the temporary selective energization of the said operating coils.

1.3. In a trolley frog tongue operating device, the combination of a plurality of operating. coils, means selectively supplying a temporary operating current in the diiiierent opcrating coils of the device and means furnishing a continued holding current in each of the operating coils immediately following the temporary supply of to the same winding, and signal indications for indicating the selected energization of the said operating coils, circuits for connecting the said signals to a source of power, switch m ans for alternately opening and closing the said circuits and means for shifting the said switch means in accordance with the temporary selective energization of the said op erating coils.

14. In a vehicle operating system, comprising a. moving vehicle, a double power line, a plurality of motive power for the vehicle from the said power line, frog tongue devices equipped with movable elements included in each power line for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors, of means controlled by the vehicle approaching the frog tongue crevices with power on or power off for automatically and electrically actuating the movable elements of the said frog tongue devices and a signal system comprising a plurality of signal indications for indicating the selected enerthe operating current current collectors for collectingv gization of the said operating coils, circuits for connecting the said signals to a source of power, relay means for alternately opening and closing the said circuits and means for operating the said relay means in accordance with the electrical actuation of the said movable elements.

15. In a trolley frog operating system, com prising a moving vehicle, a double power line, a plurality of current Collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle from the said power lines, trolley Irog tongue devices equipped with movable elements in each of the said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors, means for moving the said tongue elements incluting a plurality of operating coils, a trolley contactor having a pair of contactmembers to be engaged by one of the said current collectors, one of said contact members being connected to one power line, a

ranched circuit connecting the said operating coils and the other said contact member, circuit controlling means operated automatically from the vehicle to control the said circuit for selectively transmitting current from the power line to the operating coils of the frog devices when the collector engages the said contactor.

16. In a trolley frog operating system, comprising a moving vehicle, a double power line, a plurality of current collectors for collecting motive power for the vehicle "from the said power line, trolley frog tongue devices equipped with movable elements in each of the said power lines for directing the course of travel of the said current collectors, means for moving the said tongue elements including a plurality of operating coils, a trolley contactor having a pair of contact members to be engaged by one of the said current collectors, one of said contact members being connected to one power line, a branched circuit connecting the said operating coils and the other said contact member, circuit controlling means operated automatically from the vehicle to control the said circuit for selectively transmitting current from the power line to the operating coils of the frog devices when the collector engages the said contactor and electrically actuated means cooperating therewith for holding the tongue elements against movement after operation thereof.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature.

SAMUEL s. STOLP. 

